THE PAMIRS JEEP TOUR

DAY 1

Arrival to Dushanbe. Accommodation at the hotel. Half day city tour on foot (National Museum of Antiquities, Ethnographical Museum). The exhibits in these museums are mostly from Tajikistan’s pre-Islamic civilizations (Greco/Bactria, Buddhist, Hindu and Zoroastrian), oriental bazaar, art saloon, souvenir shop. Lunch and dinner are at the city’s restaurants or ‘chayknona’ (teahouse). Overnight hotel

DAY 2

By car from Dushanbe to Nurek Town (70 km) with visiting Nurek Hydroelectric Power Station. After lunch by car via Vose Settlement (visit Khulbuk Town - capital of ancient Khuttal, which ‘has disappeared’ anyhow after XIIth century) to Kulyab City (130 km). Overnight hotel

DAY 3

City tour in Kulyab (visit Mir Said Ali Khamadoni (prominent XIVth century poet, philosopher and thinker) mausoleum. After lunch by car to Kalaykhumb Settlement. Accommodation at the guest house

DAY 4

By car Kalaykhumb-Rushan Settlement-Khorog Town (the capital of Gorny-Badakhshan Autonomous Oblast, GBAO). From Kalaykhumb, the road joins the Pyanj River, which forms Tajikistan’s border with Afghanistan. Accommodation at the hotel or guest house

DAY 5

Half day city tour in Khorog. Visit to the Museum of History & Regional Studies which displays materials on the ancient and modern history of the Pamirs, its natural resources, scientific and cultural achievements) and to the Pamirs Botanical Garden. After lunch by car (about 45 km southeast from Khorog) to Garmchashma Thermal Springs where you have opportunity to bathe in the sulphurous waters. Accommodation at the guest house

DAY 6

By car from Khorog via Ishkashim (small settlement at the mouth of the famous Wakhan Corridor) to Kaahka Fortress (IVth century clay fortress on its rocky peak can be seen on the bank of the Panj River) and to Yamchun Fortress (also known as Zamr-i-Atashparast or Kafir Kala or ‘Fortress of Fire Worshippers’) built in the IIIrd century B.C. on the right bank of the Panj River in the foothills of the Wakhan Range. Not far from the Fortress there is Bibi Fatima holy thermal springs. Drive the rest of the way along the Pyanj River to Langar Settlement. Overnight guest house

DAY 7

In the first part of day, make a steep climb above the Langar Settlement and see the ancient petroglyphs carved into the rock, depicting mountain goats, caravans, horse riders with banners, and the Ismaili symbol of a hand. After lunch by car from Langar via Khargush Pass to Bulunkul Lake. Overnight guesthouse

DAY 8

By car from Bulunkul Lake to Yashikkul Lake and have hiking in the area. In the evening come back to Bulunkul Lake. Overnight guest house

DAY 9

By car Bulunkul Lake-Alichur Valley-Murgab Settlement. The terrain here is becoming barren and rocky. This region is inhabited by nomadic herders. Overnight guest house